EXAMINERS REPORT SEC ART

Transcription

1 EXAMINERS REPORT SEC ART MAIN SESSION 2018

2 General Information The Art SEC examination is designed to assess the candidate s intuitive and reasoning capacities, along with their creativity and artistic skills which lead to the expressive process. This process initiates through individual development, the initial stimulus, and proceeds all the way through to the final realization of the created form. Five hundred and eighty-four (584) candidates registered for SEC Art. Four hundred and twenty-eight (428) candidates sat for Paper A and one hundred and fifty-six (156) candidates sat for Paper B. The table below outlines the distribution of grades of the candidates, who sat for the exam: GRADE U ABS TOTAL PAPER A PAPER B NUMBER OF CANDIDATES % OF TOTAL Coursework and final project Portfolio The Coursework/Project contains 20% of the final mark. Most of the work was duly submitted in two separate folders, one for Coursework and another one for the Final Project. The folders were clearly labelled and carried the required data including the selected theme for the Final Project. A wide range of responses were presented with evidence of imagination and the development of personal intrinsic interests. The candidates with the best portfolios presented a range of works based on selected themes from in-depth research and from first-hand study, on the chosen subjects. Natural and manmade forms were very popular. There were examples of local urban, rural landscape, and the overall domestic environment. Historical buildings were also a popular choice of study, such as Baroque and Prehistoric buildings. A few candidates based their study on the human figure. The artworks proved the candidates exceptional skill in practicing different techniques; especially pencil drawing and painting, as well as printing and collage. The most commonly used media included; pencil, charcoal, pastels, poster colours, acrylics and cutout coloured paper. The portfolios presented a selection of imaginative work and observation. This is a clear evidence of the artistic development of the candidates. Project The final projects presented a personal and meaningful theme for the candidates. There were a few where the research on artists or different cultures had stimulated the candidates ideas and compositions. The most successful projects consisted of an in-depth analysis of the artist s subject, matter or technique, which in turn enlightened their own works of art. A selection of projects presented a cartoonish expression which in some cases was of a highlevel standard. Nevertheless, there were examples of work including downloaded copies of artists biographies and other printed material including images. This practice does not contribute to Page 1 of 6

3 the candidates artistic development. Some candidates used their media with great sensitivity. The weaker candidates presented an insufficient critical understanding and a limited level of achievement. Other candidates submitted just a few works and others submitted a wide selection of drawings which were not systematically structured and did not show sequential development. A very few number of candidates had produced personal studies but of a very poor quality. The candidates must be instructed to understand that first-hand artistic studies are the result of working from an immediate experience taking people, objects or scenes as a subject to work on. Such experience introduces the possibility for the candidate to sense much more about the subject and therefore the work becomes more personal and exclusive. Paper 1 Work from observation Paper 1 contains 40% of the final mark. This option seeks to assess whether the candidate can work from observation and render the still life in pencil. Most of the candidates presented a mature understanding of linear perspective in their drawing. In general, candidates managed to position the objects as the original composition. These candidates studied the effect of light on the surface of the glass bottle and the textures of; the cloth, the cane basket and the fruit (pear and apple). They experimented with a variety of media to achieve a natural effect. Mostly were done with pencil in monochrome, and a few in polychrome using pencil colours, acrylic or oil pastels. The quality of the artwork presented in this paper was overall of a very good standard. It is more challenging for candidates to execute a work of art from observation in full colour rather than in a monochrome medium by using, for instance, pencil as medium. This component requires candidates compositions to include all the objects set before them and not a close up of part of the objects. Some candidates' showed problems with basic drawing skills and the use of space. Some placed a small composition in the middle of the paper and others had problems to reproduce the shape of the bottle and the basket in relation to the proportions of the fruit. A few candidates had left out some objects such as the bottle or the fruit, hence, leaving an incomplete composition. Some candidates did not handle the use of perspective of the objects and the use of the media control, and eventually the drawing was overall poor. A few candidates chose to tackle the human figure as an option. Very few candidates had the comprehension and ability to draw the human anatomy. Several candidates failed to give a good interpretation of the pose of the model and the execution was very poor. A common issue in this paper was the lack of proportions of the human body and the use of space on the paper. It is evident that these candidates need to prepare themselves more rigorously in the study of the human figure. Page 2 of 6

4 Paper II Composition from a theme Paper 2 contains 40% of the final mark. All candidates were given three general themes three weeks in advance from the examination. The candidates were expected to use the three weeks for investigation, research, experimentation and development of forms and ideas related to the chosen theme. During this period, most of the candidates prepared sketches in different media related to one or more than one of the general themes. In general, the levels of attainment were mostly within the limited to competent range. In some cases, the preparatory work was copied directly from the sketches during the examination, hence, these were not used as guidelines to later create an original composition. As it happened in previous years, some candidates downloaded pictures or photos from the internet, these were consequently the same images which were presented as preparatory work by more than one candidate. This practice is not acceptable and should not be encouraged since the examination is not only assessing the use of the medium, but also; creativity, originality and imagination. In some cases, the size of the preparatory work exceeded the proper size indicated in the syllabus. No canvas is allowed in the examination hall. Some candidates failed to present their preparatory work which is required. This year, some candidates managed to create a composition including the human figure in an original cartoonish style. There were candidates whose interpretation was outstanding. Paper II A A good number of candidates tackled the selected title appropriately, their sketches served as a stimulus and these helped develop their imagination and creativity. The candidates examination work showed that they had researched and investigated the theme and were able to develop the preparatory research into a single work that presents a personal and relevant response to the title. In some cases, the use of the medium was used in a correct way that suits their intentions. Like last year s examination, the preparatory work and images were repeated by different candidates since they were coming from the same source. A small number of works were out of point. There were candidates who created a composition by putting together all the sketches they prepared with the result of presenting a composition not representing the title chosen. Question 1. Question 1. Most of the candidates handled the theme in a common way by focusing on a birthday party occasion. Some candidates managed to create a room as a background in onepoint perspective, together with the respective decorations. In the middle ground, they created the family members in the proper human figure proportion. In the foreground, they painted a birthday cake with candles. Other candidates presented a composition having only a series of persons in the foreground without having a middle or a background. In other cases, candidates presented a single person or a close-up. Some candidates did not manage to draw the human figure properly. The use of colour and techniques was generally good. Page 3 of 6

5 Question 2. This question was chosen by many students. They expressed different approaches. The most common represents a frontal sofa with a person or more, having a pet or more in a playful pose. There were different interpretations, several candidates presented a close-up of a person (portrait) and a pet, playing or sleeping next to each other. The compositions were pleasantly balanced due to an appropriate division of space. There were candidates who showed excellent skill in the use of colour and technique. Question 3 & 4. These two questions were tackled mostly in the same manner notwithstanding the fact that one was a poster and the other was a picture. Both starting points were the most chosen by the candidates. Question three was handled as a poster for the Valletta 18 manifestation, with a profile of Valletta and the V18 logo. In this question, most compositions were based on a large mannequin and the Tritons fountain. The most common composition was central, with other components surrounding it. The use of lettering was very good considering that they were freehand. Question four s interpretations illustrated; the village feasts, decorations, bands and the fireworks. More complex compositions and perspectives were presented. The use of different medium was appropriate, and, in some cases, there were mixed media interpretations. Question 5. This question was a relatively popular one with candidates. The candidate s compositions were generally based on a countryside scene. Most of the candidates focused on interpreting a farmhouse in a countryside scene whilst leaving out the idea of the card and the birthday party. In some cases, there was an accent of a boarder to indicate that it was indeed a card. In other cases, a limited emphasis was made on the party aspect. Several candidates managed to give the correct mood by using a selected palette. There were candidates who showed excellent skill in the use of colour and different techniques. Question 6. This question was chosen by a wide number of candidates. The emphasis was on the Maltese country side. Different aspects and features were developed to answer this question. The Girna and the wayside chapels were a common choice. Here the figure drawing was assessed, and, in many cases, there was an evident lack in human proportions. There was a variety of compositions, some in portrait and some in landscape format. In some cases, there was a problem in interpreting the depth since the same tone and intensity of colour were kept. Some candidates presented a unique skill in the use of colour, human figure and perspective. Page 4 of 6

6 Paper II B The candidates were issued with three general themes in advance and were expected to investigate and research these themes in preparation for the examination. All questions in this section offered a wide range of opportunities for observation, personal interpretation and experimentation. Most candidates used the preparatory period wisely whilst others copied their preliminary sketches, and a few had no preparatory work at all. The best works were usually characterised by good imaginative and personal interpretations and control of media. Some candidates gave some good interpretation of the themes. Others copied their preparatory work as a series of unrelated images. To a certain extent, there was a lack of personal interpretation. In some cases, the use of media was acceptable, yet the composition was of poor quality. Question 1. Most of the candidates who chose this question divided the paper in two, on the upper half they created an image which was horizontally reflected on the bottom half of the paper. The candidates preferred a building scene to be reflected on the water. Several candidates used their media correctly and their composition was pleasing. There were a few candidates who managed to create an appealing composition. Question 2. This was a popular question amongst the candidates. Those who chose this question focused on interpreting a beach scene. Most of them included the garbage bins and others included a slogan. There were a variety of original interpretations and compositions. Some of them included the human figure in action or sunbathing. Most candidates handled their media correctly and managed to produce a pleasant poster composition. The use of lettering was good and easy to read. In some cases, the candidates used medium as washes. Other candidates were able to create an attractive picture with proper colour rendering. Question 3. Those candidates who chose this question managed to create different interpretations and compositions. The use of perspective was common, and the human figure was essential. In some cases, the human figure proportions were good and in other cases it accentuated the lack of knowledge and practice. There were problems in interpreting depth, and the link between two or more objects. There were instances where the colour rendering was good whereas others used it as to fill in spaces. Some candidates managed to create a pleasant and attractive composition. Question 4. Several candidates who chose this question managed to create an attractive card. Some used a floral frame decoration, other emphasized on the birthday cake and the figure of the number 100. There were candidates who spread their drawing horizontally to show the front and back of the card. Another interpretation was a drawing of a card in three dimensions, showing it in an open position. The use of media was good, others used solid colours. Mostly all candidates managed to create an attractive and balanced composition. Question 5 & 6. These two questions were similarly interpreted, Candidates who chose to tackle questions five focused on the human figure in action, others created a sport environment and depicted one person in moving pose. Page 5 of 6

7 The difference between those candidates who chose question number six, is in the pose of the persons. Some of them depicted the human figure in a resting position. Candidates need to enhance their observation, imagination, and be able to execute a balanced composition. Overall the compositions were satisfactory, and the use of media was adequate. It was already noted last year that some candidates need to study the human figure since their interpretation was in a silhouette form, therefore lacking the propositions and the basic anatomy features. Chairperson Examination Panel 2018 Page 6 of 6